Wastewater

Wastewater Treatment Utilities & Facilities

The City of Garland owns and operates two state-of-the-art advanced biological wastewater treatment facilities. The Rowlett Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) receives wastewater from the east side of Garland and the cities of Rowlett and Sachse. The Duck Creek WWTP receives wastewater from the west side of Garland, and from portions of Dallas, Richardson and Sunnyvale.

Wastewater is collected from the Duck Creek Basin and the Rowlett Creek Basin. Once collected, the wastewater is treated at the Rowlett Creek or Duck Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). State certified technicians operate both facilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Staff Efforts

The Wastewater division has 102 full-time employees who are responsible for ensuring that the “used” water that leaves your house or business gets safely transported and properly treated every single day of the year. On the average, these facilities treat approximately 34 million gallons of wastewater every day. The department employees do it with such precision and dedication that they continually earn prestigious awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) and other industry associations.

Awards & Honors

Over the past several years, the Duck Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) has been racking up state and national awards for safety and performance. Recently, the Texas Water Utilities Association awarded this 40-million-gallons-per-day wastewater treatment plant with the R.B. “Bob” Batchelor Memorial Safety Award. The award highlights the safety record of 1,529 days with no loss time incidents. That’s a safety record that spans over four years! “We have a continued focus on safety and are always finding new ways to improve our existing programs” says Alex Stuart, Duck Creek Plant Superintendent. Congratulations to the 20 dedicated employees that keep Duck Creek WWTP running in top form while keeping themselves and their coworkers safe.

Duck Creek WWTP received WEAT’s, Water Environment Federation George W Burke Jr. Award for 2018 as well as the 2018 Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award (Category 3). The George Burke Jr. award honors municipal and industrial wastewater facilities for active and effective safety programs at the national level. During 2015, 2016 and 2017 there were zero lost time incidents. The Treatment Plant of the Year was awarded for 100% environmental compliance and operational safety. This award is given to a plant that has consistently exhibited outstanding performance of daily activities beyond the normal call of duty.

Last summer, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) presented the City of Garland Water Utilities department with two coveted Peak Performance Awards. These awards are given to wastewater treatment facilities for their outstanding compliance records and excellence in wastewater treatment. The Duck Creek Wastewater Treatment plant was awarded the Gold Peak Performance Award and the Rowlett Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant received the Silver Peak Performance Award for 2016.

In honor of the excellent efforts of these dedicated employees, we ask you to...

Think Before You Flush

The City of Garland's wastewater treatment plants receive all of the "used" water from every indoor drain and toilet in the city. You can imagine what a big task it is to screen and treat this water. Our system (and your pipes) can be damaged when toilets are used for anything other than the 3 P's (toilet paper, pee and poop). Toilet paper is designed to breakdown quickly to prevent pipes from clogging. Everything else is TRASH.

Remember, the pipes that take away wastewater from your home are usually only 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Flushing anything else (any kind of personal hygiene wipes, dental floss, feminine products, cotton swabs, etc.) can lead to plumbing problems at home and at our treatment plants. The City of Garland Water Utilities Department thanks you for your help in preventing sewer system blockages.

Defend Your Drains

Do you have a slow running drain? Do your sinks or bathtubs back up with dirty water? The problem might be a clogged sewer line. Defend your drains (and sewer pipes). Never let fats, grease or oils go down the kitchen sink.

We thank you for your help in keeping our city-owned wastewater treatment plants running in top form!